The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c16.159

v4.c16.159

The situation of the army was now much improved. The fortress of Baitālwādī,¹ in southern Berār, had been surrendered in October, and dissensions at Ahmadnagar weakened both parties in the state and advanced the imperial cause. Chānd Sultān was in the fortress, with the young king, Bahādur Nizām Shāh, but the army was weary of female rule and only a minority supported her. Āhang Khān the African was encamped before the town with the object of gaining possession of the young king’s person and excluding the “noble queen” from the management of affairs. She entered into correspondence with Abu-’l-Fazl, who plainly told her that mere professions would not serve her, and that the emperor would judge her by her deeds. Eventually it was agreed that the imperial troops should remove Āhang Khān, and that Chānd Sultān should then surrender Ahmadnagar and tender her own and the young king’s submission. Āhang Khān, having learned of these negotiations, took the offensive and sent an army to invade Berār, whence the imperial troops drew all their supplies, and this force was able, owing to the negligence of the imperial officers in Berār, to penetrate as far as Ellichpur. Here, however, it was defeated and dispersed, its leader being slain.